CHAPTER 18

Time teased Draco as he stood watching Hermione laying motionless in his bed. He ran his fingers through his hair in deep frustration. Blaise stood at the entrance of the room watching his best friend.

"She's going to be alright mate," Blaise said trying to placate his worried friend.

"It's been two days Blaise!" he cried in frustration.

"Yes, but you heard what Luna said. Hermione will wake up when she's ready too." Blaise answered calmly. "You need to keep it together mate. I have a feeling we're going to have a slightly bigger problem to deal with."

Draco sensed Blaise's hesitance in his last comment, "What do you mean? What bigger problem?"

Blaise shifted a bit, rubbing the back of his neck before answering slowly, "The Ministry of Magic seems to think Hermione's been abducted."

"What? how in Merlin's name did they get that idea?" Draco asked outraged.

"Well …apparently an anonymous tip was sent to the ministry telling them that Hermione had been attacked and required immediate medical attention. But when they got to her apartment and didn't find her …they assumed she was taken."

"I don't understand," Draco said moving away from the window, "Someone told the ministry of magic that Hermione had been attacked?"

"Yeah," Blaise said looking deeply worried by that fact, "I guess you must have just missed Hermione's attacker and because we brought her here without telling anybody …well they all assume she's missing."

"Blaise…Astoria wouldn't be stupid enough to go to the ministry…would she? I mean if she wanted to harm Hermione then why go to the ministry to get help?"

"Mate, none of this makes sense. But the problem is now everyone thinks Hermione is missing and soon enough someone's going to come here asking questions about her."

"No one's going to come here Blaise. The house is undetectable remember?"

"Yes but the ministry keeps tabs on all ex-death eaters Draco," Blaise reminded his friend solemnly, "We're eventually going to have to tell them she's here."

"No! That's too dangerous. We can't tak –"

"You were the last person to see her Draco! Half of the wizarding world saw the three of you wandering around Diagon Alley!" Blaise said firmly. "You think people are going to believe you just found Hermione with her head bashed in and arm cut up on the floor?"

Draco exhaled a deep breath as Blaise's words sunk in. "Then what do you suggest we do Blaise?"

"Call Potter," he answered easily then seeing the incredulous look on Draco's face he continued, "Look we call Potter and tell him that Hermione's safe. He's her best friend and perhaps the most competent of auror's the ministry has. He'll hopefully be more inclined in believing our story than anybody else there."

"Fine, call Saint Potter." Draco grumbled. "But do so quietly. I don't want the entire ministry in my house."

Blaise nodded and pushed himself off the doorframe as he turned to walk away. "She's a Gryffindor and almost as stubborn as you. She'll wake up when she's ready to Draco." Blaise said again reassuring his friend softly and then disappeared down the hallway.

Draco sighed as he sat down in the armchair that had been moved closer to the bed. He reached out and once again took hold of Hermione's bandaged hand. Draco had barely left Hermione's side from the moment he brought her back to be healed. Luna had done an impressive job but now the rest was up to Hermione. Scorpius had spent most of his time with his father, also refusing to leave Hermione alone. Thankfully Pansy had been a great source of distraction for the little Malfoy. Making a mental note to check on Scorpius later, Draco sank further into the chair still holding onto Hermione's hand. The past few days had taken its toll on him and before he could fight it, sleep drew itself over Draco's tired form.

There was a dull thumping at the back of her head as she tried to open her heavy eyes, but it was of little use. Hermione could hear voices in the distance and tried to focus on them but found it only made the pain more prominent. She was aware of a warm bundle next to her but before she could try and gauge what it was her mind slipped back to nothingness. When Hermione was able to surface from the darkness again she noticed the warm bundle at her side had disappeared. Despite her eyes feeling heavy, she forced them opened and was treated to the soft light that filled the room. Focusing her eyes for a moment she saw her unfamiliar surroundings. The bed, Hermione noticed was surprisingly soft despite it being dressed in silver and black. The room was covered in a hushed light and Hermione couldn't make out much in the dim lighting. Before she had the chance to panic, Hermione noticed the hand holding hers. Looking to the armchair beside the bed her heart jumped at the sight before her. There sat Draco, his blonde hair falling into his face as he slept, with his hand around hers. She looked down at their hands and finally noticed the bandage around her hand. She tried to move her hand out of Draco's grasp without waking him but her attempt was in vain. The moment her hand slipped out from his, Draco's eyes flew open, his silver orbs alert and on guard.

He blinked a few times looking at her in disbelief, "Hermione?" he asked softly.

"D…Draco?" Hermione replied finding her voice coarse.

"You're…you're awake," he whispered as if not truly believing it. "How are you feeling?" he asked after a moment.

"Tired and sore,' she groaned, "W-what happened? ...and where are we?"

"You don't remember?" Draco asked hesitantly. Hermione shook her head and then winced a moment later at the shooting pain the small action caused. "You were attacked Hermione," he answered slowly as he took her bandaged hand in his. Draco felt her hand tense at his answer but did not allow her to pull back. "We found you…in your lounge and –"

"I was attacked…" Hermione muttered. Her vision blurred as she tried to recall memories of such an incident but nothing came to mind. "Why?"

Draco shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her frantic eyes, "We don't know yet." He answered barely above a whisper. Hermione studied his face for a moment before she spoke again.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing." He replied to quickly, "It's nothing. What's important is that you're finally awake. I was so worried Hermione. I thought I was going to loose you." His silver eyes were filled with apprehension and fear. Before Hermione could question Draco any further, he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips and then placed his forehead against hers.

"Draco," she whispered, "You're acting like I died."

"You almost did Hermione." He said solemnly as he ran his thumb across her cheek. Hermione relished in the feel of his warm hands gently caressing her face. The pounding in her head seemed to dim down for a bit.

"You said I was attacked" she said after a moment's quiet, "But this isn't St. Mungo's…"

Draco looked down at her bandaged hand not sure what to tell her next, "I ..uuh thought it would be better if I brought you here. It seemed safer." Hermione didn't say anything but merely nodded and grasped his hand again.

"Draco, what hap –" Hermione started but was interrupted by a voice from beyond the slightly ajar doors.

"Draco, Scorp's asking for you …oh damn! Hermione! You're awake!" Blaise exclaimed as he walked into the room. "Finally! You were beginning to really scare us there for a moment…" he said looking beyond relieved. He stood at the foot of the bed looking down at the pair of them with worried eyes.

Hermione smiled gently, "Thank you Blaise." She turned back to Draco with all seriousness, "What happened?" she asked repeating her earlier question.

"It's a bit of a story…something I think we should discuss once you're feeling a little better." He answered carefully.

"No!" she said angrily ignoring the returning pain to her head, "tell me what happened."

"uuuh…I think I'm going to call Luna. She'll want to know that you're awake." Blaise said hastily as he escaped the room.

"Luna?" Hermione asked confused. "Draco…please…" she pleaded with him.

Draco sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair, "What is the last thing you remember?"

Hermione tried recalling the most recent of her memories, "Shopping with you and Scorp in Diagon Alley."

He nodded and rubbed his thumb across her bandaged hand as he spoke, "We made plans to join you for supper at your place…do you remember that?" she nodded and he continued, "Right…well when Scorp and I arrived we found you…lying on the floor u-unconscious," Draco said slowly still battling with the image of Hermione lying in her own blood. "I called Blaise and we brought you here."

"What about Luna?"

"Apparently Lovegood is some secret healer. She's the one that healed you when we decided to bring you here." Draco finally looked Hermione in the eyes and he spoke. She was shocked to see his concern for her so evident in his eyes. He was usually a master at schooling his emotions.

"When you say 'here' you mean…." she trailed off hesitantly. Draco couldn't hold back his laugh and smirked at her slightly before he nodded. She glanced around the room fully taking in all the details this time.

"Not how I imagined I'd get you in my bed… but I'll take what I can get," he teased running his fingers along her jaw line. She couldn't help the blush that spread as he said this, nor the chuckle that escaped her. She winced again at the throbbing pain. "Shit, sorry." Draco swore looking at her with concerned eyes.

Hermione instead took notice of the room again, this time truly observing her surroundings. The armchair beside the bed where Draco had sat earlier was draped over with ties and shirts, a few odd books sat on the night stand beside Hermione, along with potion bottles and two tea cups. The curtains were drawn which cast the room into dim lighting. Hermione noticed that while much of the room looked like a chaotic mess, the bed in which she lay was void of all such disturbances. The blankets had been pulled neatly over her and the pillows propped up to support her.

"How long?"

"Mmm?"

"How long have I been…uuh uncon –" Hermione stammered trying to find the best way to phrase what she wanted to say.

"Two days." He answered simply. Before she had the chance to panic, Draco smiled at her as he brought her bandaged hand to his lips. There had been one more question Hermione really wanted to ask him but the throbbing pain in her head was becoming more intense. She leaned back against the pillows closing her eyes. Draco turned to call for Ippy but his command died on his tongue as he saw Luna and Blaise enter the room.

"Hermione," Luna greeted brightly as she walked towards the bed. Hermione's eyes fluttered open at the sound of her friend's voice. "The nargles told me you'd be waking up soon." Hermione smiled despite her pain. "How are you feeling?" Luna asked not wasting any time. Draco made to move off the bed but Hermione just held onto his hand tighter. Luna didn't bother asking him to move either. Instead she pulled out her wand and started muttering spells in familiar fashion to what Hermione had done countless times before at the hospital.

"Tired and sore," Hermione said giving her the same answer she did to Draco. The blonde witch nodded in response before concentrating once more on the healing spells.

Once done Luna turned and looked at the two Slytherins in the room, "She'll need plenty of rest. I'm leaving these potions for here," she said and placed various bottles on the already crammed nightstand before addressing Hermione, "it's for the pain and some of the swelling. Hermione you're not allowed to do anything too strenuous. You don't want to risk opening the wound again. In any case you know that the more rest you get the quicker you heal." Luna said with a knowing glint in her eyes. Though before Hermione could say anything Luna continued, "I'm serious Hermione. That is a very bad head wound you've got. You need to take care of yourself. Draco's been worried sick about you."

At this Hermione looked to Draco, surprisingly he didn't shy away from her questioning gaze but rather held it, looking at her with all the relief he felt in that moment. She was finally awake and that was all that mattered right now.

"Don't worry Luna, I promise to be careful." Hermione said sincerely.

"Is she going to be alright?" Blaise asked.

"She is sitting right here and yes I'm going to be just fine." Hermione answered with a small smile.

"How do yo-"

"I'm a healer Blaise, remember?" she said.

"Oh yeah," he said, "Well it's good to have you back Hermione. Draco, can I have a word with you please?" Blaise asked as Luna started administering various potions. Hermione nodded and released his hand. Draco leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before following Blaise out the room.

No sooner were they in the hallway did Blaise address Draco with his problem, "I got hold of Potter earlier to let him know about Hermione. I haven't heard anything from the saviour yet but I thought you should prepare yourself for his inevitable visit." Draco nodded meekly, "What are you going to tell Hermione?"

"About?"

"Well about your suspicions that it was Astoria…that half the ministry is looking for her…that you're not going to let her out of your sight for the next few months." Blaise countered.

"Now you're just being dramatic," Draco said rolling his eyes.

"I'm being dramatic?" Blaise laughed in disbelief, "If Luna said it was okay for Hermione to go home…and she wanted to, would you be okay with that?"

"No of course not." Draco answered without thinking then scowled at his friend. "You know what I mean." Seeing Blaise's slightly smug look Draco explained further, "We can't let her go back without knowing who did this and why. I can't tell Hermione all of our suspicions just yet…she's already been through enough." Draco said solemnly.

"So what's your plan Draco?" Blaise asked in all seriousness. "You can't hide this from her forever."

"I don't plan too. I'll tell her everything once she's had time to recover properly. For now we try and find who did this."

"I'll handle it." Blaise said without hesitation. "Take care of her," he said as he started walking away but then stopped and faced Draco again, "Oh and mate …will you please just tell her that you love her already." He laughed at the shocked expression on his friend's face.

"I don't think that's appropriate right now," Draco said. Blaise realised he hadn't denied it but merely gave an excuse to stall.

"You almost lost her. Do you really want to go through another life and death situation before she hears it from you?" Blaise asked with a raised eyebrow.

Draco groaned and walked back into the room ignoring Blaise's smug laughter. Luna was busy packing things back into her bag as Hermione tried to gently shift among the sheets and pillows on the bed.

"The potions will make her slightly drowsy for now. Make sure she takes the correct amount." Luna said handing Draco a piece of parchment. She turned and made her way towards the door before stopping and facing Draco again, "I know you'll take very good care of her Draco." She disappeared through the doors and he was left alone with Hermione once again.

Slowly he walked towards the bed and took a seat on the edge. Moving some of the brown curls away from her face Draco saw her smile and the fear in her eyes dissipated as he ran his fingers along her cheek. A though occurred to Hermione as he shifted on the bed, coming to sit besides her, leaning on the headboard.

"Draco, if I've been here for two days …then w-where have you been sleeping?" Hermione asked looking at Draco who smirked playfully at her.

"He hasn't," Blaise answered leaning against the door frame as he put an end to Draco's tease on Hermione, "But that chair has made a pretty good substitute for a bed," He added motioning to the armchair beside the bed where Hermione lay. She felt a deep blush coming on in knowing the lengths to which Draco had gone in order to keep her safe.

"Mate, Scorp is asking to come up," Blaise said from the doorway.

"Bring him up Blaise," Hermione said before Draco could respond.

"Hermione, I don't think that's such a good idea. You should rest for now." Draco said carefully.

"Draco, it's not like we're going to play hide and seek or build a snowman –"

"Thank Merlin for that." Blaise muttered under his breath.

"…I'm perfectly fine. Blaise, please bring him up." Hermione said with a small smile. He looked to Draco but after a moment shrugged and went down to fetch the little blonde.

"Are you sure?" Draco asked with concern, "There'll be plenty of time to see Scorp once you're better Mione."

"Yes, but I want to see him now." she said stubbornly.

It wasn't long before they heard the return of Blaise's feet along the hallway. He walked in with Scorpius in his arms, as the little boy looked anxiously around the room. He saw his father sitting on the bed, but it wasn't until they reached the bed that Scorpius saw Hermione awake and leaning against the pillows.

To everyone's surprise Scorpius didn't say anything this time but rather wriggled his way out of his godfather's hold and made his way towards the bed. Draco lifted him onto the mattress and the moment his body made contact with the soft sheets, Scorpius crawled his way towards Hermione and latched himself onto her. She hugged him to her fiercely, her bandaged hand all forgotten for the moment. Hermione wasn't holding him for long when she heard something that made her look to Draco with shock and concern. Gently pulling Scorpius back she saw his tiny face streaked with tears. His usually pale face now blotchy red as his tears ran freely down his face.

"Oh sweetheart," Hermione said softly, "Oh no don't cry Scorp. I'm all better now, right Draco?"

She looked at Draco who ran his hands over his son's head as he spoke, "Of course. See Scorp Hermione is awake now and she's much better."

"You're lying," Scorpius mumbled.

"No I'm not," Draco said gently, "I've never lied to you before have I?"

Scorpius shook his head but he was adamant, "if you're all better then…t-then why do you still have this?" he asked holding Hermione's bandaged hand.

"It's to make sure I don't get sick again," Hermione replied easily.

"But what about your head?" he asked eyes full of tears, "You was bleeding all over the floor and we messed your scarf because daddy said it was to help you…but you were sleeping for so long…how do you know that you're all better now?"

Hermione gasped as she heard him recount what he had seen. She pulled him closer as Draco reached over and took her hand effectively encircling Scorpius in the gap between them. "Scorpius I know that what you saw must have been very scary but sweetheart…I'm alright now." she said taking his little hand in her free hand. Scorpius mumbled something under his breath that none of the adults caught. "What was that sweetheart?" she said pushing blonde strands of hair away from his face and encouraging him to speak louder.

"I don't want to loose another mum." He said quietly. There was a stunned silence as his words sunk in. Despite being truly shocked Draco hid it well while Blaise stood there mouth agape. Hermione was the first to react however. This was not the first time Scorpius had referred to her as 'mum'. She brought his little hand to her cheek holding it there.

"That's not going to happen. I promise." Hermione said firmly looking into his silver orbs.

"But how do you know that?" he inquired, his voice still fearful.

"I just do I guess."

"But how?" he insisted.

"Mother's know everything Scorp," Narcissa offered from where she stood at the entrance, "Ask you father. He knows all too well about mummies superpowers." She said as Draco and Blaise laughed. "Hermione, dear it's good to see you're awake. I hope my sons and grandson have been treating you well?" Narcissa said looking between the three males in the room. she walked over to the bed and stood beside Blaise.

"Thank you Mrs Malfoy," Hermione said smiling at the older woman. "Yes they've been doing a wonderful job."

"I'm glad to hear that. Blaise there's a young man downstairs who says he's here about a message you sent his company earlier. It seems rather urgent and I left Pansy to play host for the moment. Perhaps you can go and relieve her from such a tedious task. " She gave Blaise a queer look before he nodded and left the room quickly.

"Grandma …what's a mummy's superpower?" Scorpius asked as he wiped at his face with his sleeves.

"Well it's what all mum's have. So we can tell when you're sick, or hungry or cold. It's how we know when you've been naughty and when you've been good." She replied laughing at the shocked look on her grandson's face.

"Really?" he said looking between Hermione and his grandmother. Narcissa nodded and looked to Hermione for her to continue.

"Yes, your grandma is absolutely right. It's how mum's know things that dad's don't." Hermione said running her fingers through his blonde hair.

"Do all mums get this superpower?" Scorpius asked intrigued. Draco smiled as he watched these two women skilfully distract Scorpius from his fear. Narcissa and Hermione both nod but their response seemed to trigger something else. A frown formed on his graceful features as he thought about their answer, "But my other mummy didn't have this superpower… how come?"

Narcissa scrambled for a way to make her grandson see that his mother was a daft bint while Hermione smiled. "Well that's because she didn't do very well on the mum's test"

"What's that?"

"Well it's a test that decides which mum gets the superpower." Hermione replied. Her answer seemed to pacify his curious mind as it worked to understand her answer.

"Oh!" he said after a moment of deep thought, "So if you fail…then you don't get to be a mum?"

"Exactly!" Hermione said smiling, "So you see, you don't have to worry because I'm not going anywhere."

"Promise?" he asked his voice small in hope.

"I promise." She said looking only at him as she spoke. He accepted her answer and she pulled him in for another hug.

"I imagine you must be tired dear," Narcissa said, "we will leave you to get your rest. Come along Scorpius." She held out her hand for him to take. Only he shook his head and strategically moved himself to sit in Hermione's lap. "Hermione needs to rest dear. Come on."

"Don't worry Narcissa," Hermione said, "if it's okay with you I'd much prefer if I could spend a little more time with him."

Narcissa nodded in understanding, "Off course, sleep well Hermione." She turned and quietly left the room, pulling the door shut after her.

Hermione shifted slightly on the bed, allowing more space for Draco. He seemed to take the hint moving his arm to wrap around her shoulders. Scorpius had his head on Hermione's chest but was looking at his father with sleepy eyes. He seemed to be lulled into sleep by Hermione's heartbeat. They fell into a calm soft of silence as Draco traced delicate patterns on Hermione's arm. She laid her head against his chest and closed her eyes.

"Thank you," Hermione whispered softly just when Draco thought she had slipped off into another deep sleep.

"For what?"

"For saving my life," she answered quietly.

Draco chuckled as he kissed her hand, "Anytime love."

Despite not wanting to disrupt the silence again, Hermione had a question burning its way through her mind. "Do… uh do they know who attacked me?" she asked even quieter than before.

Draco looked at her as she bowed her head, her hair falling into her face. "You don't remember anything about the attack?"

Hermione shook her head and was shocked to discover that her cheeks were wet. When did she start crying? Not wanting Draco to see, she attempted to wipe them away but as he still held one of her hands and the other was holding Scorpius, it was a little more difficult than she expected. "Mione," he said gently pushing the hair away from her face and lifting her chin up so he could look into her eyes.

Those chocolate orbs he so dearly loved were filled with fear. He took her face in his hands and wiped her tears away with his thumbs, "It's okay if you don't remember right now," he said gently, "You will in time." He kissed her forehead gently and Hermione gripped the front of his shirt not wanting to let go just yet. Hermione willed the tears to stop but it was no use. Someone had attacked her and she couldn't remember who or why. She felt vulnerable and weak just thinking about it. The full force of what had happened to her was finally sinking in. With no recollection of what happened, she felt exposed and afraid for the first time in a long while since the war.

It gave her shivers thinking about being ambushed in her very home and left to die. The worst part was that Scorpius saw her in such a terrible condition. She looked down to see he had fallen asleep. Suddenly the urge to sleep was no longer there. Anxious to close her eyes and see what her dreams might be now that she had an idea of what happened to her. Hermione leaned down and pressed a kiss to Scorpius' forehead and as she did so, she felt the weight of Draco's gaze on her. His eyes, unlike before were not filled with fear and anxiety but were now calm and a deeper emotion she couldn't quite read.

"Go to sleep," he said gently.

"I…I can't." she whispered not breaking away from his gaze.

"I'm not going anywhere Hermione. I promise nothing is going to happen to you. Go to sleep love." And as Draco pulled her closer she didn't feel so vulnerable, she felt safe. Safer in knowing that he was there to watch over and protect her.

"You can't go up there Potter! Don't make me hex you!" Pansy threatened glaring at the man in front of her.

"You can't do that! You'll be arrested!" Harry growled in frustration.

"Yes I can! Might I remind you that you are currently trespassing on private property!"

"I'm only here because Zabini sent an owl saying he had information on where Hermione is. That makes this visit Ministry business. Now move out of my way woman!"

"That doesn't give you the right to march around this house like you bloody own it! Now I suggest you shut up, sit down and wait for Blaise." Pansy said firmly folding her arms across her body.

"Easy there Pans," Blaise said as he descended the stairs laughing at the scowl on Harry's face. "Hello Potter," he added taking a seat opposite the saviour. Pansy joined him throwing Harry another glare as she did so. "Good to see the ministry trains their auror's to have such impeccable people skills."

"Zabini either you have information for me or I'm leaving. Don't waste my time." Harry said deeply frustrated, "It's been almost three days and still no sign of Hermione."

"Relax Potter, I wouldn't have called you here if I didn't have anything important to tell you." Blaise answered as he fought the urge to roll his eyes at the man in front of him. "I know where Hermione is." He said.

"Well where is she?" Harry asked anxiously looking between the two Slytherins. Pansy suddenly had a very smug look on and it made Harry uncomfortable.

"She's here." Blaise replied simply so as to put Harry out of his misery.

"That's very funny Zabini. I told you not to waste my time. Where is she?" Harry asked exasperatedly.

This time Blaise didn't hold back as he elegantly scoffed at Harry, "Do you really think I would be making jokes at a time like this? She's here Potter. Safe and sound."

It took a few minutes before it registered for Harry, "How the bloody hell did she end up here?!" he yelled.

"Draco found her lying in a pool of her own blood in her apartment. So we brought her here."

"What?' Harry shouted in shock, "What ….well where is? Is Hermione okay? Why didn't you take her to St. Mungo's? She needs medical attention!"

"Easy Potter," Blaise said calmly, "Hermione is fine. She's just resting. We decided it would be safer for her here than at the hospital. You have no idea who did this, do you?" Blaise asked raising a challenging eyebrow at Harry.

Harry meekly shook his head. "We're working on it. Our first priority was to find Hermione." He sighing as he ran his fingers through his unkempt black hair. "We knew she was badly injured.

"Well we had a healer make sure Hermione received the proper medical attention. Hermione is going to be just fine." Blaise said looking at Pansy. Harry noticed they both shared a look that seemed oddly like relief.

An awkward silence drew them in as Harry turned the information Blaise had given in his head. "Wait…you said Malfoy found her?" Harry asked slowly looking between the Slytherins, "You said he found her in a pool of her own blood…"

"It's not like that!" Pansy hastily said. "He didn't do anything to her!"

"I never said he did!" Harry responded defensively. Pansy shot him a look of disapproval.

"Off course you were! It would be so convenient to blame Draco for this… given his history."

"No! I'm not trying to blame him for this…I just …all I want to know is what was Malfoy doing in her apartment?" Harry asked unsure if he really wanted to know the answer.

"They've been seeing each other Potter," Pansy answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Draco was going to have dinner with Hermione that night when he found her."

"You…you just called Hermione by her name." Harry said thinking the first thing that came to mind.

"Yes…because it's her name," Pansy said slowly.

"You said Hermione was okay." Harry said addressing Blaise. The Slytherin shook his head but before he could answer Harry spoke again, "Good. I want to see her now."

Blaise scowled slightly at being ordered around by Harry Potter, "She's resting at the moment. So unfortunately we can't let you barge into the room and upset her right now."

"Upset her?" Harry asked outraged, "How on earth am I going to upset her? I need to see that she's okay and that she's been given the correct medical attention like you said. I need to see her for myself to make sure that she is okay and… that you haven't…"

"That we haven't what Potter?" Pansy bravely challenged him, "That we haven't killed her ourselves yet?" Harry had the decency to look ashamed as Pansy threw him another disgusted look. "We might be Slytherins Potter…and the children of Death Eaters but don't make the mistake of thinking you know us because you spend your life trying to catch the people our parents once were."

"Well you can't really blame me now can you?!" He said defensively, "Hermione's been missing for days and now I'm told she's been in the home of the most notorious Slytherins ever."

"You mean death eater," Pansy said flatly.

"I was trying to be nice." Harry replied in equal tone. "Look Hermione is my best friend. I won't leave here until I'm convinced that she's passed the danger and will be safe."

"Whatever," Pansy said inspecting her nails as she spoke, "The point is Hermione is here. She's safe and resting. You can come again tomorrow to see her. If you see her now you'll wake her up and start asking questions which will upset her."

"How will that upset her? She's the only one that knows that happened! If we're going to catch whoever did this I need to speak with Hermione."

"You can't ask her anything because she doesn't remember anything about the attack. Look if you want a full break down on her condition, I would suggest you speak with Lovegood. She treated Hermione and will probably tell you everything you need to know."

"She… she doesn't remember anything?" Harry repeated in shock. Looking up he said firmly, "I want to see her now."

"And Pansy already told you to come back tomorrow," Blaise said.

"And I already told you I want to see her now." Harry replied stubbornly, "I can't – I won't leave without seeing her." Sensing that he was further upsetting the two Slytherins he sighed and tried a different approach, "I can't tell the ministry I found Hermione if I haven't seen her for myself. Now unless you want me to come back with a few more auror's and a ministry signed order to search this house top to bottom for her, I suggest you take me to Hermione right now… please" he said finally losing his nerve.

Blaise and Pansy glanced at each other for a moment before Blaise reluctantly nodded. "Alright Potter, this is how it works. This is our house so don't try anything stupid or I will throw you out. I'll take you to Hermione, but she's probably sleeping right now. Under no circumstances may you wake her up. No Potter, I don't care what questions you may have, they can wait till she is in better form." Blaise spoke looking directly at Harry with his best business face. Harry begrudgingly accepted and stood with the other two and followed them towards the stairs.

They walked in silence towards Draco's room spotting Narcissa exiting Scorpius' room talking with Ippy as she walked. "Blaise I was telling Ippy that we need to – oh Mr. Potter," she said seeing Harry standing behind Blaise and Pansy. "You're still here I see."

"He's here to make sure we haven't killed Hermione yet," Pansy said throwing a smirk over her shoulder towards Harry.

"The Ministry has been looking for Hermione ever since we got the message that she was attacked at her home two nights ago. I need to make sure that Hermione is here and well before I go back and tell the ministry she's alive." He explained carefully to Narcissa.

"Yes well tread carefully Mr. Potter," Narcissa warned, "Hermione is still recovering and I highly doubt my son will take it lightly if you upset Hermione in any way… especially in her current condition."

"Yes, i'm sure he will be. When did Malfoy become such a big fan of Hermione anyway?" Harry grumbled sarcastically under his breath, only they all heard him and faster than he could register, he had three sets of furious eyes burning holes into his skull.

Taken aback by their reaction he mumbled an apology and looked to his feet. Blaise cleared his throat and lead them towards Draco's door. Gently he pushed it open and walked inside. Harry followed looking around as he did so. He noticed the chaos the room had become as he entered. He stopped short and gasped as he looked to the bed.

"What the he –" he started but Pansy slapped a hand over his mouth glaring at him. She brought her finger to her lips telling him to be quiet.

He looked to the bed again trying to understand what it was that he was seeing. There lay Hermione looking slightly bruised but alive no doubt. Harry sighed in relief at the sight of his friend. Just as Blaise had said, she was fine. He noticed the bandages on her hand and it helped ease his tension in knowing that she had been properly looked after. His eyes moved form Hermione to the other occupants in the bed. In her arms was a little boy with brilliant blonde hair, his arms securely wrapped around her mid-section and his head on her chest. Next to Hermione was Draco Malfoy with her head on his chest and his arms around her and the little boy. All three occupants were sound asleep.

It shocked Harry to see Hermione so comfortable amongst this unfamiliar group of people. What shocked Harry more than this was the fact that Hermione looked like she belonged, like she truly belonged. Not for a moment did it seem out of place for her to be in the arms of Draco Malfoy. For Harry, it suddenly felt like he had lost his friend without even knowing it. He pushed that aside in telling himself that it was not important at the moment. What was important was that Hermione was okay. Yet he felt suddenly uncomfortable with what he was seeing before him. It looked like a lot more than just Hermione simply dating Draco. This was something more and his need to understand the situation grew with intensity in each passing minute.

But before Harry could question any of it, Blaise was leading him out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. "There, you've seen for yourself that Hermione is okay."

"And that we haven't killed her," Pansy muttered under her breath.

Blaise shot her a look of warning, "All right Potter, I think its time you leave."

Harry was not about to be dismissed without some answers, "Wait! Wait! …What the hell was that?"

"What was what Potter?" Blaise asked nonchalantly as they walked back down to the lounge, "You've seen Hermione, now please leave Potter."

"What was that?" Harry asked again pointing up in the direction to Draco's room. Pansy groaned and took a seat beside Narcissa while Blaise turned to face Harry.

"We already told you Potter. Draco and Hermione are seeing each other." Blaise explained simply.

"That… looked more than them just 'seeing each other'. That was something else," he said.

Blaise considered him for a moment, "Maybe so…but now its time for you to leave."

Harry scowled but made his way over to the floo network, "Oh and Potter," Blaise called out looking the most serious Harry had ever seen him "I hope we're at an understanding that you won't be telling the Ministry where you found Hermione. Just that you found her."

Harry looked sceptically at the Italian for a moment, "It might be better for Hermione if I told the ministry she was here."

"Are you really that stupid!" Pansy snapped.

"Pansy!" Narcissa chided, "Mr. Potter I think what Blaise and Pansy are trying to say is that it would be better if Hermione is fully recovered before you start bringing in the ministry to question such… private matters of her life. I can't imagine that she would be very happy to know that her best friend was carrying matters of her life all over the ministry simply because he couldn't get over a childhood feud?" she delicately challenged.

Harry gritted his teeth, "Fine. I won't say anything to the ministry just yet. But I will be back tomorrow to speak to her myself." With that he walked into the fire place and threw the powder down calling out his destination.

As the green flames died away, they all let out a collective breathe that none of them realised they were holding. "Well that went well," Blaise said sarcastically.

"Yes just fabulous wasn't it," Pansy replied before pushing on, "Now what the hell was that?" she asked repeating Potter's question to Blaise.

All the Italian could do was smirk slightly. All three looked in the direction to Draco's room. "About bloody time," was all he said.

A/N: Hello dearies!

I'm so sorry for the delayed update! As always thank you to everyone who had followed, Favourited or reviewed this story. It means the world to me! Please don't forget to review as i really want to know what you think of this chapter! There's still lots more to come!

No promises when the next update will be BUT i have started working on chapter 19 so hopefully it won't be too long.

My dearest Katy, thank you as always for being so super amazing and getting me out of the little rut i was in!

Until next time!

xoxo

Immortal Dragon Empress